Ford unveils police SUV; GM, Chrysler in pursuit
Alisa Priddle
Detroit News
Sep 1, 2010
Bad guys beware: An unprecedented number of new and faster police cars are coming, including a new Police Interceptor utility vehicle whose details were released by Ford Motor Co. today.
Ford's new Police Interceptor utility vehicle. (Gary Malerba Special to The Detroit News)
The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor has been the quintessential police car, leading the market for 15 years and holding a more than 70 percent share. But Ford is discontinuing production of its venerable rear-drive sedan next year, and General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC -- as well as Ford -- are offering cars they hope will succeed it.
"This is a unique time because we're moving out of the Crown Vic," said Kevin Koswick, Ford's fleet director.
Ford will replace the Crown Vic with two offerings next year: the Interceptor sedan based on the Ford Taurus, and the Interceptor utility, based on its Explorer.
"For the first time ever, Ford will offer two vehicles for police use," said Mark Fields, Ford president of the Americas.
The two share underpinnings and parts. They'll be built at Ford's Chicago assembly plant, making it easy to adjust to shifts in demand.
"It reduces the engineering costs for both vehicles and gives us the scale to negotiate better terms with suppliers," Fields said. "It makes a good business case for Ford."
GM and Chrysler will beat the Fords to market with new cars that police agencies can order this fall.
They include the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger Pursuit and the Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, returning after 15 years.
Both are rear-drive vehicles, the layout of choice for police officers who spent much of their careers in a Crown Vic.
The new Ford fleet is front drive, with available all-wheel drive. Engineers insist officers will embrace the increased comfort and roominess for their utility belts and equipment, plus a more responsive drive that doesn't toss occupants around while taking a corner fast.
The new Ford Interceptor has bulletproof doors, other special features. (Gary Malerba / Special to The Detroit News)
And there is serious horsepower coming to chase bad guys.
The Crown Vic's V-8 pumps out 210 horsepower. The Interceptors offer a choice of a 280- or 365-horsepower V-6 and 20 percent better fuel economy.
The Fords go up against the 368-horsepower Hemi V-8 in the Dodge Charger and 365-horsepower V-8 in the Chevy Caprice.
"You're looking at three very strong contenders," said Lt. Keith Wilson of the Michigan State Police Precision Driving Unit, which tests police vehicles annually.
"It's hard to predict what people will do this year. A lot of decisions will be based on how our test goes this fall."
The testing runs Sept. 18-20 in Michigan. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department does separate testing. In addition to the four new vehicles, carryovers of current models for the 2011 model year include the Crown Vic, Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Impala.
"As people gain more confidence" in Chrysler and GM police cars, "there will be more competition for Ford," Wilson said. "They have to win over a new set of customers who have to be convinced the new cars are good. I don't think they will have a hard time doing that, but they have to prove themselves."
Ford is testing its new vehicles a year before they go on sale because most departments do their bidding in June, and Ford wants departments to have the data well in advance.
"It's important to us to make a statement," said Carl Widmann, Ford engineering manager. "It's bragging rights for the next 12 months."
Ford unveiled the Interceptor sedan in the spring.
This is the first look at the Explorer-based companion SUV, which has bulletproof doors, anti-stab plates on front seats, enhanced brakes, steel wheels, cooling system and a durable body to hold up under rough use.
Some officers may be disappointed initially with the lack of rear drive, but Louis Jamail, Interceptor vehicle dynamics engineer, thinks they will change their opinion once they experience the stability and comfort of the new Interceptors.
The vehicles are faster and safer because they are more stable, said Jamail, and are suited "for all manner of driving for good and bad drivers, not just the best drivers."
